Inclined Bracing Pillow for Preventing Head and Neck Roll

ABSTRACT

A head position retaining pillow, has a pillow, formed of a soft material adapted to receive head of the user. The pillow has a bottom surface and a first central surface, which forms a first angled surface between the front surface of the pillow and the top surface of the pillow. The angle is 30-40 degrees. First and second end caps, border respectively on first and second sides of the first central surface, and are spaced by a distance which is effective to discourage the user from rolling.

This application claims priority from Provisional application No. 63/011,575, filed Apr. 17, 2020, the entire contents of which are herewith incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sleeping pillows. More specifically, the present invention aims to force the user to sleep in an inclined supine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous different sleeping positions. A person's sleeping position may differ depending on various factors such as injuries, personal preference, setting, or of the likes. Different sleeping positions have different long term advantages and disadvantages. For example, those who sleep on their sides or stomachs more often may suffer from compression wrinkles more than those who do not so sleep on their sides. The compression wrinkles can be diminished by sleeping in a supine position.

Sleeping positions are endless and vary from person to person.

While initially in one position to sleep, a person will most likely roll or move during their sleep. For example, if a person were to go to sleep in a supine position, the person may wake up and find themselves on the side of their body instead of the initial supine position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments describe an inclined bracing pillow which forces a user to maintain their person's head and neck to a specified supine position. In an embodiment, this sleeping position is maintained to a thirty-four-degree angle. Embodiments describe maintaining the supine position and inhibiting unconscious rolling that may occur while asleep.

This sleeping position can reduce eye pressure which may result in slowing down the progression of eye disease.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view from the top, of a pillow according to an embodiment; the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the pillow.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pillow.

FIG. 4 is a view of the cross section of the pillow along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view of the cross section of the pillow along the line 5-5 in FIG. 3, showing exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 6 show a top perspective view of the pillow; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing the parts of the pillow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is an inclined bracing pillow provided to assist people in maintaining an inclined supine position during sleeping by inhibiting or preventing a person from rolling onto their sides, or even into a prone position, while asleep. The construction of the embodiments are intended to minimize head and neck roll of a sleeping person.

More specifically the present invention is an inclined bracing pillow provided to assist the user to reduce eye pressure which may result in slowing down the progression of eye disease.

An exploded view according to an embodiment is shown in FIG. 7. In this exploded view, shows the different parts of a pillow according to an embodiment. The pillow 100 includes a central support 1200 which is covered by a cover 1210. There are two end caps 1220 and 1225 on opposite ends of the central support. The cover 1210 may be optional, and the central support may be directly exposed.

As described herein, these parts are broken out to show the different pieces for explanatory purposes, however the actual embodiment constructs the pillow parts as a single piece as shown in the other figures.

A first side 1201 of the central support is connected to an adjoining side of or 1221 of the first end cap 1220. Analogously, the second side 1202 of the central support is connected to the adjoining side surface 1226 of the second end cap 1225. The two end caps are larger in height than the central support 1201, and hence form barrier surfaces that act to discourage a sleeping person from rolling their head beyond the barrier surfaces.

In a similar way, the central support has a contoured surface 1205, formed as described herein of multiple sections that alternate in height. This contoured surface is intended to ergonomically support a user's head in the supine position.

The central support 1200 is further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The central support has a contoured top surface and a breathable body. The contoured top surface further comprises neck support. The neck support has a semi-cylindrical bump 110 positioned across the center topmost section of the central support extending from between side surfaces 1220, 1225. The neck support forms the topmost height, where the user can rest their head on this topmost spot, or alternatively, the user can place their head lower on the pillow, thus providing a degree of adjustment to a user.

The breathable cover 1210 is located over the top of the central support. The breathable cover 1210 is ventilated via a plurality of holes 120 which allow circulation of air and resultantly acts to dissipate heat and wick moisture away from a person.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the central support 1200 along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3. This shows the different contours of the different parts making up the central support 1200. The front edge 500 of the central support is rounded, however forms the inclination angle shown as 1000 in FIG. 4. This inclination angle 1000 is preferably an angle of thirty-four degrees. This preferred angle orients the user's neck and head into an optimal position to reduce eye pressure, which may result in slowing down the progression of eye disease. Note that the specified angle mentioned does not limit the scope of the present invention as the incline angle of the pillow may differ between thirty to forty degrees; however according to a preferred embodiment, the angle 1002 may be 34°. FIG. 4 also shows how the pillow has a number of different rounded surfaces, including a front rounded surface 510, formed by the preferred angle 1000. After the rounded surface, is a first flat surface, then a first bump 520, enabling a spot for the user's head to place on, followed by a third surface 530 which is preferably a flat surface, also at the preferred angle 1000 relative to the bottom. The topmost surface 550 of the pillow is also rounded as shown in FIG. 5.

The breathable body of the central support is preferably constructed from a viscoelastic memory foam, which is comfortable and adaptable to a user, wherein over time an imprint is created matching the individual features of a specific user. While other materials could potentially be used for the foam body, they are preferably user-adaptable as well as comfortable in order to be an acceptable substitute.

In embodiments, the fillet finished pillow may also be covered with a nylon cover having the consistency of women's pantyhose. This can be shrink-wrapped to the pillow, so the pillow maintains its overall shape, but this nylon covering may help avoid wear to the pillow caused by sliding pillowcases on and off.

A cross-section of the end cap is shown in FIG. 5. The end cap has a longer height 560 than the corresponding height 570 of the central support. In an embodiment, the height 570 of the central support is 5.95 inches, while the height 560 of the end cap is 6.95 inches, so 1 inch taller. Both the central support and the end caps have lengths from front to back shown as 580, which in an embodiment can be 10 inches.

In an embodiment, the side main surface which extends from the front 539 to the top 550 and forms the same angle as the angle of the central support, here shown as 1002, preferably an angle of 34°. The end cap, however, does not include the bump 520, but rather includes a straight surface 540 which leads from the front surface 539 to the rounded top surface 550.

The cover 1210 is preferably connected on top of the central support, extending between the first end 1220, and the second end 1225, and covering the central support's top surface 1100. The cover is optional, however may provide additional comfort in some embodiments. In an embodiment, the cover is made from ventilated ultra-soft viscoelastic memory foam, somewhat similar to the breathable body of the central support.

However, the cover may have a softer form of the memory foam then the central support. This may be effected by using a memory foam for the cover has a lower molecular density compared to the memory foam of the central section. As a result, the cover is lighter, softer, and more breathable than the central support. This provides an even more comfortable resting surface for a user's head while further enhancing cooling by allowing for more consistent air flow and quicker dissipation of heat.

FIG. 2 shows a front on view of the pillow, illustrating how the first and second end caps 1220, 1225 extend up higher than the upper height of the central section 1200 covered with the cover 1210, forming the beveled edges 500, 515 that constrain the user's head location. The top surface of the cover 1210 is still lower than the side surfaces of the covers of the end. In an embodiment, the distance between the top of the cover 1210 and the top of the end cap 1220 can be ½ to 1 inch.

FIG. 2 shows the bevels of the edge surfaces. A facing edge surface 500, which extends between the topmost section surface 505 of the end cap 1220, and the top surface of the cover 1210. The facing edge surface 500 forms approximately a 45° angle between the top surface of the cover 1210 and the highest surface 505 of the end cap. This facing edge surface 500 thus forms a beveled edge which acts as a barrier that tends to dissuade a user from turning beyond the side of the central section.

In a similar way, there is an analogous beveled facing surface 515 at the other side of the pillow which interfaces between the top surface of the cover 1210 and the highest surface 510 of the other end 1225. The beveled surfaces is 500, 515 can be anywhere between 30° and 60°, so long as they are of a size to dissuade the user from moving their head beyond that section.

The first end cap 1220 and the second end cap 1225 are provided to interfere with head roll and thus return a sleeping person's head to the supine position. The first end cap 1220 and the second end cap 1225 are positioned such that the gap separating them is wide enough to receive a person's head, but short enough that the first end cap and the second end cap are each positioned adjacent to the side of a person's head. Potentially, the first end cap and second end cap can even be positioned such that they lightly touch the sides of a person's head, in a manner that is supportive rather than uncomfortable. In an embodiment, the distance between the first and the second end cap can be, for example, between 4 and 12 inches.

This distance between the first end cap and second end cap is configured by the beveled surfaces to comprise an interior contoured face, positioned adjacent to the central support.

The interior contoured face comprises a chamfer, fillet, or similar feature. The interior contoured face is positioned such that, provided a user's head is in the supine position, the interior contoured face does not uncomfortably press against the user's head. This reduces pressure points while still providing support. As with the central section and the cover, the first end cap and the second end cap are preferably constructed from a foam material.

Since the first end cap and second end cap are provided to discourage head and neck rolling during sleep, they are made of a denser foam material than that used for the central section and the cover.

The present invention trains a user to maintain an inclined supine position through the combination of the central section, the first end cap, and the second end cap. If a sleeping user rolls their head, the resulting weight transfer causes one of the end caps to pitch inwards, such that the interior contoured face presses against the sleeping user's head. In an embodiment, the density of the memory foam is selected such that the weight transfer of the head causes the inward pitching of the end cap. For example, if a sleeping user's head rolls towards the first end cap, the resulting shift of weight increases pressure on the central section adjacent to the first end cap. This increased pressure causes the first end cap to tilt inwards, pressing against the now rolled head of the sleeping user. By no means painful, the pressure is sufficient to stop a user's head from rolling further. The pressure also encourages a user to roll their head back into the supine position. In this way, the present invention encourages and trains users to maintain an inclined supine position during sleep.

The present invention is designed to be adaptable to individual differences. The material used for the embodiment, also in referred to as viscoelastic memory foam, this material is capable of forming imprints that match a given person's physical features. Thanks to the viscoelastic memory foam the central section adapts to individual users, providing a more comfortable fit. The other element of adjustability is provided by the neck support. By virtue of the aforementioned features the present invention provides a degree of adaptability, making it more comfortable for a wider range of users.

The embodiment is described as connecting the individual components. Another embodiment forms a single object as the pillow. This embodiment uses a one-piece construction made from injecting 100% viscoelastic memory foam into a mold.

Overall, the present invention provides an inclined bracing pillow configured to limit head and neck roll and ultimately train a person to maintain an inclined supine sleeping position.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The previous description of the disclosed exemplary embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these exemplary embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A head position retaining pillow, comprising: a pillow, formed of a soft material adapted to receive a head of the user, the pillow having a bottom surface, a first central surface, which forms a first angled surface between the front surface of the pillow and the top surface of the pillow, and forms a rounded portion at the top surface of the pillow, the rounded portion being spaced from the bottom surface by a first distance, and first and second end caps, bordering respectively on first and second sides of the first central surface, top portions of the first and second end caps being spaced from the bottom surface by a second distance larger than the first distance, an area between the rounded portion, and the tops of the end caps forming edges of the pillow which extend above the top surface, where the first central surface has a length between the first and second end caps which is effective to discourage the user from rolling.
 2. The pillow as in claim 1, wherein the pillow, including the central surface and the first and second sides, are all is formed of viscoelastic material.
 3. The pillow as in claim 2, wherein the first and second sides are formed of denser material than the central surface.
 4. The pillow as in claim 1, wherein each of the edge surfaces on the first and second sides which face the central surface has a beveled surface facing respectively the first and second surfaces.
 5. The pillow as in claim 4, wherein the beveled surface forms a 45° angle with the central surface.
 6. The pillow as in claim 1, wherein a distance between the first end cap and the second end cap is wide enough to receive a person's head but short enough such that each the first end cap and second end cap are each positioned adjacent to the side of the person's head.
 7. The pillow as in claim 1, further comprising a cover material, covering the central portion.
 8. The pillow as in claim 7, wherein the cover material is ventilated with holes.
 9. The pillow as in claim 1, wherein the first central surface forms an angle between 30 and 40° relative to the bottom surface.
 10. The pillow as in claim 1, wherein the first central surface forms an angle of 34° relative to the bottom surface.
 11. The pillow as in claim 9, wherein a rear surface of the pillow, opposite to the front surface, is substantially flat, and forms substantially a right angle with the bottom surface.
 11. The pillow as in claim 9, wherein the first central surface includes a first flat surface extending from a front surface which forms which is substantially straight and forms the angle, a bump portion, which forms a bump at the end of the first flat surface, the bump being an area which extends above the first surface, and a second surface which extends from the bump to the rounded top surface. 